About

I am a lecturer in biomedical sciences at Sheffield Hallam University working within the fields of antimicrobial chemotherapy and microbial ecology. I am particularly interested in the mechanisms of biocide resistance in bacteria, in developing anti-infective biomedical device coatings to prevent biofilm-associated infections and in understanding the responses of biofilm communities to antimicrobial treatment. 

I successfully completed a PhD in microbiology at The University of Manchester which was based on evaluating novel antimicrobial peptides as potential anti-infective coatings for biomedical devices. Following this I completed a position as a research associate working in partnership with Unilever and Colgate Palmolive on programs evaluating bacterial responses to biocide treatment. 

In the past 4 years, I have acquired 11 publications in leading scientific journals and have presented my research at 5 international conferences in addition to presenting at departmental seminars. I was an invited speaker to the 36th International Congress of the Society for Microbial Ecology and Disease. I hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education and teach microbiology and immunology on undergraduate and postgraduate programs. 

I am passionate about scientific outreach and have previously worked alongside the RCUK School-University Partnerships Initiative, Aim Higher Microbiology and Guerilla Science, who aim to engage and educate the public on topical scientific issues.

Teaching

Microbiology

Undergraduate and Postgraduate Student Projects

Research

Combinatorial effects of biocides and quorum sensing inhibitors in medical device related pathogens. The microbial contamination of biomedical devices is a primary cause of hospital-acquired infection and causes major medical and economic burden. With an ageing population it is likely that the need for implantable biomedical devices will continue to rise, resulting in an increasing threat of difficult to treat device-associated infections to the populous and an increasing economic strain on healthcare service providers. My research focuses on the use of biocides and quorum sensing inhibitors to inhibit the establishment of bacterial biofilms on device surfaces and prevent device-associated infections.

Small colony variant formation in Staphylococcus aureus after long-term biocide exposure. Staphylococcus aureus is an important human pathogen that is responsible for a range of hospital and community-acquired infections. Successful treatment of such infections is complicated by the generation of antimicrobial insusceptible small-colony variants (SCVs). My research aims to evaluate the generation of S. aureus SCVs after exposure to the biocide triclosan and to characterize any phenotypic consequences that occur as a result of this adaptation.

In vitro modelling and characterization of bacterial biofilm communities. Bacterial biofilms are spatially structured communities whose function is dependent on a complex web of symbiotic interactions. Biofilms are found both within the human body and the natural environment and often display a high level of recalcitrance to antimicrobial therapy. I use in vitro biofilm models to mimic real life bacterial communities and evaluate antimicrobial treatment regimes.

Publications

Postgraduate supervision

Emma Henly - Combined efficacy of microbiocides and quorum sensing inhibitors in uropathogenic Escherichia coli